The family of a man who was killed by a Raleigh police officer last year has filed a lawsuit against the officer and Raleigh's city manager and police chief.
30-year-old Soheil Mojarrad was shot and killed in April 2019 by Officer W.B. Edwards. Raleigh police say Mojarrad was holding a knife and ignored orders to drop it. Last September, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said her office would not pursue criminal charges against Edwards.
In a complaint filed Tuesday, Mojarrad's family accuses the Raleigh Police Department of inadequate policies and training on several issues, including use of force. Attorney Cate Edwards represents the family and explained their motivation for filing the suit.
"I know that the family wants to see changes at the policy level in terms of the practices of the Raleigh Police Department, cultural changes regarding how police officers are held accountable, how police officers are trained," said Edwards.
The Raleigh Police Department says they cannot comment on any pending or ongoing legal matters.